Key result
Combat sport concussions linked to impaired executive function in ~82% of studies, primarily affecting memory.
Why the study?
Given the high incidence of concussions in combat sports, this study investigated the impacts of this trauma on core executive functions.
Does concussion impair executive functions in combat sports athletes?
Systematic Review (n=1,130)
Does concussion impair executive functions in combat sports athletes?
Concussions in combat sports such as boxing and MMA are associated with impairments in executive functions, particularly affecting memory and inhibitory control.
Clinicians should monitor executive function after concussion in combat athletes; reinforces domain-specific risks across most reviewed studies.
Concussion is a diagnosis given due to trauma caused by abrupt acceleration and deceleration of the brain. The consequences involve, among others, impairments in executive functions. Considering the high incidence of concussions in combat sports, this study investigated the impacts of this trauma on core executive functions. A systematic search was carried out until November 2023, using the PRISMA method on the Virtual Health Library (BVS), PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo platforms. 11 studies, including case studies and quantitative empirical studies, met the eligibility criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias measurement tool. The results produced high and low bias studies, evaluated by three independent evaluators. Of the 11 studies selected, 91% included samples of boxers and 27.3% included mixed samples (men and women). The total sample was 1,130, aged between 15 and 68 years. 81.9% indicate impairment of executive functions in fighters, with impacts most frequently reported on memory (36.5%) and inhibitory control (27.5%). The results suggest that concussion impairs executive functions in boxing and MMA. However, more studies are needed to relate the diagnosis of concussion to possible deficits in executive functions in combat sports.
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Barcelos et al. (2024) conducted a systematic review in Concussion in combat sports (n=1,130). Concussion was evaluated on Impairment of executive functions. Concussion in combat sports was associated with impaired executive functions in 81.9% of the reviewed studies, with memory (36.5%) and inhibitory control (27.5%) most frequently affected.
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